52 JUDGING HORSES 



have disappeared from the central pair of incisors in the 

 upper jaw; at ten the marks in the next pair in the upper 

 jaw are about worn out and when eleven is reached the tables 

 have almost disappeared from the corner pair of the upper row 

 of incisors. Sometimes the teeth are "bishoped," that is, 

 marks are made in the teeth to represent tables thus making 

 the horse appear to be younger by the tables of its teeth. 

 This treatment may always be told from the unnatural 

 appearance of the table as the normal tooth always has a rim 

 of enamel around the tables. 



After a horse passes beyond the age mentioned it is a dif- 

 ficult matter to make any further estimate with any degree 

 of certainty. As the age increases, however, the upper sur- 

 face of the incisors appear more triangular and the teeth 

 spring from the jaw with a greater slope. 



VI. EXAMINATION FOR UNSOUNDNESS. 



89. A Blemish Different from Unsoundness. A blemish 

 is something that depreciates the value of a horse without 

 interfering with its usefulness. Such injuries as wire cuts 

 mar the appearance of a horse and are properly called blem- 

 ishes, while unsoundnesses include spavins, curbs, ringbones 

 and all other diseases that lessen the usefulness of a horse in 

 its sphere. 



90. Decayed and Worn Teeth. In examining a horse for 

 unsoundness it is well to follow a regular order beginning 

 with the teeth. The best indication of decayed teeth or any 

 similar unsoundness of the mouth is the odor that comes 

 from it or attaches itself to the hand on the introduction of 

 the latter. If the outer edges of the incisors are broken and 

 worn away, it is an indication that the horse is addicted to 

 " cribbing " in the stable. 



91. Discharges from the Nostrils. The nostrils should be 

 of a fresh pink color somewhat moist but there should be no 

 discharge from them. If there is, glanders or distemper 



